Teacher Training Programs Online

Teacher Training Programs OnlineOrff & Kodály Supplemental Courses

July 6 – 17, 2020

In conjunction with George Mason University, Mason Community Arts Academy offers a variety of Orff and Kodály supplemental online courses for music educators during the summer. Courses have credit and non-credit options and may eligible for teacher recertification points (please check with your local district to be sure).

These exciting one-week supplemental courses are designed to enrich and enhance your Orff and/or Kodály experience, as well as introduce emerging techniques/ methods. Whether it’s an introduction or a “next step,” these courses give you an opportunity to expand your knowledge and invigorate your teaching methods. All classes are taught by K-12 experts and certified trainers.

Modeling Healthy Singing for the General Music Classroom and Vocal Ensembles

This supplemental course will focus on vocal pedagogy geared towards ensemble singing nurturing healthy vocal production for a lifetime of music-making for you and your students. Both asynchronous and synchronous lessons will blend together to cover basic vocal pedagogy, ‘best-practice’ warm-ups that develop a healthy strong head voice, ‘best-practice’ repertoire, standards-based assessment in the choral classroom and learning how to utilize SoundTrap as a technological platform for use in our new normal with distance learning. In addition to synchronous classes with all participants, everyone will also have the opportunity for one on one voice lessons with individualized attention focused on developing an awareness of one’s own vocal model.

Technology for the Classroom

This course lays a strong foundation for integrating technology purposefully in the music classroom while maintaining the integrity of an active music-making curriculum within a 21st-century curricular framework. The objective is to integrate applicable technology in active music-making programs that incorporate movement, dance, song, story, poetry, speech, and playing instruments (barred instruments/drum/recorder/ukulele), to facilitate improvisation, composition, develop music literacy, administer assessments and track growth.

The course is packed with animated visuals ideas, digital manipulatives, engaging presentation strategies, computer, iPad/Chromebook/tablet activities, SMART Board/interactive whiteboard application templates, lessons, activities, games, and assessments for PreK-5 general music teachers, regardless of whether they have limited or considerable expertise with technology, and irrespective of the number of available devices in the classroom.

Applications include presentation apps like PowerPoint (Google Slides/Keynote); interactive whiteboard apps like SMART Notebook; digital portfolio apps like Seesaw; instructional and assessment templates using Book Creator, Explain Everything, Educreations, and Socrative; creative composition apps using Soundtrap, Chrome Music Lab, and GarageBand; collaborative learning apps like Smart Suite, Class Kick, and Flipgrid; and apps that are specific to music learning, performing, and creating. Participants will create digital manipulatives, engaging lesson activities, and assessments using templates provided and will customize these to their own curriculum.

Alexander Technique

This introductory Alexander Technique class is for everyone who stands, sits, moves, sings, plays an instrument, conducts an ensemble, gets up and down from the floor, writes on a board, or does any one of a myriad of activities music teachers are called upon to do each day with their students. Learn new ways to adjust to the daily physical (and mental) demands of music teaching, and have less pain and tension at the end of the day. Discover how to make everyday movement more comfortable by gaining deep structural support and developing an increased physical awareness. Explore how it is possible to be relaxed and ready, soft and strong, light and substantial, firm and flexible, awake to the world! Class size limited to 15.

Orff Schulwerk: Curriculum and Context

Prerequisite: Completion of at least Level I of Orff Schulwerk Teacher Education
This course is for teachers seeking ideas and strategies for creating and/or adapting curricula that emphasize an Orff Schulwerk (OS) approach to music and movement education. Specific topics for this course include: 1) curricular aims and goals, 2) structural models for organizing curricula, 3) OS resources and materials, and 4) authentic assessment approaches. Other topics may be included as time allows.

Interactive Music Learning

Are you ready to take your teaching to the next level? Are you looking to engage your students in interactive music learning? Then this class is for you. Brainstorm with your colleagues ways to energize your teaching and planning. We will explore: the use of manipulatives, group or partner work, differentiation, movement, improvisation, and composition. Come away with new ideas for Music Literacy Centers that will keep your students actively engaged. Explore with your colleagues ways to adapt your teaching in an online environment.